The march towards holiday season has begun at the time of posting 100 days till Christmas. In keeping with my tradition of “plan ahead” when it comes to food let’s get cracking! As you know Surviving America nutritionally speaking can be challenging.
You need to be well armed with support tools in place to not be overwhelmed by endless holiday marketing mania. This is particularly hard when it comes to sugar loaded items and other processed products that mess with insulin.
Just of few of the holidays on the horizon, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Then comes Valentine’s Day, Easter, Passover and on and on into the eating frenzy. Whew, makes me dizzy thinking about all that food!
All the more reason to get your game plan in place before the madness, here’s a few ideas.
Think twice about sugar
Many individuals are looking to diminish the large amounts of sugar in their diets. Which is in my mind a great initiative. Why not try to assist them and help yourself at the same time by keeping the sugar contents of holiday foods to a LOW ROAR.
While I understand that holidays have traditions, but seriously does anyone need 4 different kinds of pies at Thanksgiving? What about 1 pie cut in super small pieces and shared with the whole crowd. Think of it as a “pie taster’ not pie as a meal.
Another item of concern from my end are smoothies and fruit laden drinks. These while seeming “healthy” can pack in the sugar. Most smoothie drinks have multiple pieces of fruit, which one would never eat by itself. My motto is eat your fruit, don’t drink it.
Also every time one deviates from eating sensible real food, it makes getting back on track that much harder. There is good evidence out there to show that “serial” dieters, those that are on and off again, tend to gain back more weight than they lose over time. It’s a chance to not go down the yo-yo road.
Meals not snacks
Another mistake I see is that people think oh I’ll eat light during the day while cooking a holiday meal. Then what happens is the incessant all day snacking and tasting. Dangerous because when you finally sit down to the meal you’re full, but not satiated. Then, a little bit later you are hungry and the snacking cycle returns.
As you know I’m a huge believer in exercise. However, be mindful of holiday reward eating. (I did this in order to eat that). The body is much smarter than a slogan. Simply said eating a sack of Halloween candy is not undone by your walk or workout the next day.
Holiday parties need creativity
If you are dining out for holiday work events or other family gatherings be smart. No one is seriously offended when you pass up a dessert or extra serving. If they are, shame on them. And stay away from foods that impact insulin, such as sugar and carbohydrates.
If you are ordering your own meal choose wisely. For instance something I learned from our Mom, order appetizers. I’ve often found meals in the US to be just too darn big. Ordering a side of grilled vegetables with a fish or meat appetizer is a great alternative.
Also be careful to not arrive super hungry to an event. Keep to the mantra of eat real meals during the day to avoid arriving and running straight to the food table. Taking a pause or having a glass of water first is a good way to begin the night.
In general, right now in the US we roll from one holiday right into the next. Food corporations love keeping you overwhelmed with the next “seasonal” item or candy-loaded excuse to sabotage your health. Be prepared and put a game plan in place.
The Cliff Notes Version:
- Eat meals not snacks
- Have a real meal before cooking
- Cook your meals yourself
- Be creative when ordering out
- Meals can be fun even with NO dessert
- The fewer carbohydrates & sugar the better
- You cannot exercise away poor food choices!
Finally use the holiday time to share some art, music or inspirational performance with friends and family. Think of it as a chance to feed your soul and not your stomach! Wishing you an energetic journey on the holiday season road.
“If you’re going to America, bring your own food.”
Fran Lebowitz
